Stephen Sidkin’s Post

Everyone picks the spoils once the animal has finally succumbed to the wolves. Such a positive retailer driven by an inspirational woman who worked on it almost her entire life. Where did it go wrong - how did it lose its way. Could it be failure to adapt, poor supply chain and cost management, expansion too quickly, loss of prime leadership, change of market, geopolitical issues or just plane old covid. I am sure there are many reasons but the sad thing is the ones that lost out. Like wilko, Debenhams and many others its important to assess and understand what went wrong. After working in consultancy for 30 years you see a pattern of amnesia, people making the same mistakes, I put this down to human nature. Humans don’t like disaster and tend to brush over it and in many cases refuse to learn. There is a lot to learn about business failure and it’s important to take time out to learn even as a competitor or fellow industry practitioner. Retail is a tough buisness but not an impossible one. It all starts with attitude. Arrogance and over confidence are the biggest killers followed by contentfulness and an assumption that nothing can touch us and nothing needs to challenged or changed. The best retailers out there are always on edge, at the heart of the customer through to the soul of fulfiment. This is what I look for. Ego in business is dangerous. Been smart and aware and on the cutting edge is for me the art of survival. Been humble but highly demanding keeps businesses alive. It’s like a bid of prey waiting for the moment, miss out and you starve. In retail you have to adapt and if your business is lethargic, supply chain long and tedious and hard to change, you will sucumb to things outside your control. Covid, geo-political, environment, customer mood and taste,inflation, exchange rates - the list goes on. The supply chain is the means and its method should be simple and flexible and more than anything adaptable.

In its interim results published today (15 February), German luxury etailer Mytheresa reported that operating losses for the six months to 31 December 2023 mounted to €17.5m (£15m). It had an operating income of €2.6m (£2.2m) for the same period in 2022. #fashion #fashionnews #retailnews

The deadline for CEO Julian Dunkerton to submit a bid to take Superdry private has been extended to 29 March. Read more here. #fashion #fashionnews #retail #retailnews #Superdry

Frasers Group has reported a 13.1% rise in adjusted profit before tax to £544.8m in the year to 28 April 2024 despite a revenue dip, as it continues to drive its "elevation strategy". Read more below. #fashionnews #retailnews #fashion #FrasersGroup

Solo Brands ($107m) needs to divest Chubbies Shorts. Why does a fire pit biz need a short shorts brand? Solo Brands is -50% in the past week. With a $107m market cap. There are so many better homes for Chubbies + the Solo Brands portfolio play isn’t working. Solo needs to set Chubbies free to be the ‘Murica loving Apparel powerhouse it was always meant to be. Solo Brands needs to get profitable selling what they’re meant to. Fire pits to outdoorsy people who like to barbecue. #shopify

Joules, the iconic British fashion brand, stages a remarkable comeback post-acquisition by Next in 2022. Despite falling into administration, the ongoing liquidation of assets promises a full repayment of £5.9 million in overdue VAT to HMRC.💰 This strategic move follows Joules' 1989 grassroots beginning, evolving into a nationwide fashion staple. The Next acquisition safeguards 1,600 jobs and signals a turning tide for the brand. Amidst the broader retail industry challenges fuelled by the pandemic, Joules stands resilient, highlighting the industry's capacity for revival and reinvention within strategic business decisions.🛍️ #LeadingNews #Leading #LeadingBusinessServices #Liquidation #Insolvency #InsolvencyNews #Joules #Next #Retail

Tailoring services according to your needs! Our commitment to excellence extends to private labelling, ensuring your brand stands out with quality and distinction. Let us turn your vision into a global sensation. #kyraenterprise #exporthouse #FMCGproducts #bestsourcingpartners #exporters #manufacturers #assuredquality #affordability #timelydelivery #consistentquality #consistentdeliveries #expertisedelivery #privatelabel #TimelyDelivery

Being informed is your best defence against fakes! Share this post to help others avoid counterfeit products!✨ #onlineshopping #brand #original #ecommerce

Assess the market potential and launch FTV White Goods licensed product line. DM us to acquire brand recognition, global exposure, and access endless possibilities. #FTVWhiteGoods #FTVLicense #brandlicense #Brandvalue #FashionTV #FTVBrandlicensing

"Your shopping experience might be ruined forever," is often what I say to people when I explain the concept of licensing to them for the first time. Once you know, you know. Somehow it feels disappointing to know that your favourite brand, isn't really that involved. It's not just that the brand owner uses a third party factory to make the products. The licensee (manufacturer) runs the business for the licensor (brand owner). The licensee designs, manufactures, distributes, markets and sells the products. The licensee is running the business. The brand owner gives design direction and approves product. If we, the customers, are blissfully unaware of what's going on, that's a big win for the brand owner. SPOILER ALERT... 😮 Cadburys license out their mini rolls 😒 Burberry license out their eyewear 🙄 Coca-Cola license out their mini-fridges 😲 Ted Baker license out their bedding 😕 Jack Daniel's license out their BBQ sauces Want me to go on...? #brandlicensing #intellectualproperty #brandstrategy